Pumping mechanism for feeding water to steam-boilers.



No. 699i08l. Patented Apr. 29, `|902.

C. CRUMPTN. PUMPING MECHANISM FDR FEEDING WATER T0 STEAM BDILERS.

(Application led July 1A1, 1900. Renewed Apr. 7, 1902.)

UNITED STATES CHARLES CROMPTON, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

PATENT Crema.

PUMPING MECHANISM FOR FEEDING WATER T0 STEAM-BOILERS.

4 rSPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 699,081, dated Aprilv 29, 1902. Application filed July ll, 1900. Renewed April?. 1902. Serial No. 101,613. (No model.)

companying drawings, forming a part of the same, in Which-- Figure 1 represents a steam-boiler with my improved pumping mechanism,with the boiler and pumping-cylinders shown in vertical central sectional View. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 represent the pumping-cylinders shown in central sectional view, with their pistonsin different positions.' Fig. `5 is 'atransverse sectional AView on line 5 5, Fig.4. j Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively endand'top views of the mechanism for actuatingthe reciprocating pistons.

Similar reference-letters refer to similar parts in the different views.

The object of my invention is to provide a' water-feeding device for steam-boilers which shall be automatic in its action and capable of maintaining the water in the boiler at a uni-v form level; and it-consists in the construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described, and set forth in the annexed claims.

Referring to the drawings, `A denotes a boiler, shownY in vertical central sectional View, A' a feed-pipe by which water is fed to the boiler, and A2a pipe entering the boiler at the desired water-line.

B is a Water-tank sufficiently elevated to cause the water to flow through the pipe B to the pumping-cylinders; but instead of the tankB the-pipe B may connect with any source of water-supply under pressure. The pipes A2 and B communicate with a cylinder C, containing two reciprocating pistons C and C2, connected together by a common piston-rod C3, Witha space C4 inclosed between the pistons, forming a Water-receptacle. The piston C2 is connectedby a connecting-rod D with a crank-pinD', carried upon a crankplate D2, mounted upon a rotatingy shaft D2. Immediately below the cylinder C is a cylin der E, communicating with the cylinder C by an openingE and containing a reciprocating piston E2, connected by a connecting-rod F belt-pulley H or in any other suitable manner.Y The pipes A2 and B' communicate with the cylinder C and are so arrangedthat when the pistons C and C2iare at one end of their stroke, as represented in Fig. 1,the pipe A2 will communicate with the space C4 between the pistons and the pipe B', and the opening E will be closed by the cylinder C2, and the reciprocating piston in the cylinders C and E are so arranged that when the pistons C and C2 are at either end of their stroke the piston E2 will be at the middle of its stroke, as represented in Figs. 1 and 3. When the pistons are in the position shown in Fig. 1,'if the water in the boiler isabove the pipe A2,where it enters the boiler,water will iiow through the pipe A2 and ll the space C4; but if the Water in the yboiler is below the pipe A2, then steam will iiow through the pipe A2 into the space C4. As the crank-plates D2 and F2 rotate the pistons Cl and C2 are moved vfrom the positions shown in Fig. l through the positions shown in Fig.V 2 'to the positions shown in Fig. 3, bringing the pistons C and C2 at the opposite end of their stroke and the piston E2 at the center of its stroke and bringing the space C4 between the pistons C and-C2 beneath the pipe B', which leads to the water-tank B. If the space C4 be already filled with water through the pipe A2, no water will ow from the tank B; but if steam only has been admitted to the space C4 it willbecome condensed, and the space C4 will be filled with water from the tank B. When the `pistons C and C2 reach the middle of their stroke on their return movement or in the position shown in Fig. 4, the space C4 will be brought opposite the opening E', and the piston E2 will have moved to the end ofits stroke, thereby uncovering the opening E and allowing the water contained in the space C4 to iilow by gravity into the cylinder E. i

The continued movement of the pistons C and C2 in the direction of the arrow a, Fig. 4, will carry the piston C2 over the opening E', closing the same and causing the water in the IOO cylinder E to be forced by the movement of the piston E2 through the pipe A' into the boiler, and its return is prevented by a checkvalve I of the ordinary construction inserted in the pipe A@ At each reciprocating movement of the piston E2 the charge of water received in the space Cl between the pistons C and C2 will be forced into the boiler. When the boiler is filled above the entrance of the pipe A2, then the water forced into the boiler by the piston E2 will be received from the boiler itself through the pipe A2; butin case the water-line falls below the pipe A2, then water will again be received from the tank B and forced into the boiler until the water rises in the boiler high enough to cover the pipe A2, when water will again iiow through the pipe A2 into the space C4, thereby shutting ol the supply from the tank B.

I do not confine myself to the specific mechanism shown to actuate the reciprocating pistons C', C2, and E2, nor do I confine myself to the precise construction and arrangement of the cylinders C and E with reciprocating pistons. The essential elements of my invention consist of a mechanism for forcing water into the boiler against the boiler-pressure, a water-space from which water is fed to the water-forcing apparatus, a communication between said water-space and the boiler at the water-line, and a communication between said water-space and a source of water-supply, whereby said water-space receives either water or steam from the boiler, and means for alternately opening said communications to the boiler and the water-supply. In the mechanism shown the cylinder E and piston E2 form a pump by which the feed-water is forced into the boiler, and the cylinder C and pistons C and C2 act as valves which control the water-supply to the pump; but the source of the water-supply is determined by the water-level in the boiler.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a water-feeding device for feeding water to a boiler, the combination of means for forcing water into the boiler against pressure, an inclosed water-receptacle from which water is fed to said forcing mechanism, a pipe leading from said water receptacle to the boiler at its water-line, a pipe leading from said water-receptacle to a source of watersupply and means for alternately opening' and closing said pipes, whereby said forcing mechanism is supplied from the Water-supply or from said boiler as determined by the Water-level in the boiler, substantially as described.

2. The combination with aboiler,of a pumping-cylinder, a reciprocating piston in said cylinder, a feed-water pipe leading from said cylinder to said boiler, a check-valve in said feed-water pipe,a valve-cylinder placed above said pumping-cylinder and communicating therewith, a pair of connected reciprocating pistons in said valve-cylinder with a space forming a water-receptacle between them, a pipe leading from said valve-cylinder to said boiler, a pipe leading from said valve-cylinder to a source of water-supply, said pipes being arranged to alternately communicate with the water-receptacle between said pistons, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a boiler, of an automatic feed-water mechanism, comprising a pump, a pipe provided with a check-valve leading from said pump to said boiler below its water-line, a water-receptacle independent of said pump, means for periodically connecting said water-receptacle and said pump, a pipe connecting said receptacle and the boiler at the water-line, a pipe connecting said receptacle with a source of water-supply and means for alternately opening and closing said pipes, substantially as described.

4. The combination of an inclosed water receptacle, or chamber, means for admitting water, or steam from the boiler to said chamber as determined by the water-level in the boiler,a source of water-supply communicating with said water receptacle, or chamber, means for alternately closing said water receptacle, or chamber, to the boiler and to the water-supply, a pump-cylinder and means for communicating said water receptacle, or chamber, with said pump-cylinders, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in presence of two subscribing witnesses, this the 21st day of May, 1900.

CHARLES CROMPTON. Witnesses:

GEORGE H. KIMBALL, J. FRED HUMEs.

IOO 

